University of the Air

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Hosts Norman Gilliland and Emily Auerbach invite distinguished faculty guests from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to discuss topics in music, art, writing, theater, science, education, and history. "University of the Air" can be heard on Sundays at 4 p.m.

Upcoming Shows

In the late 19th century, Lavinia Goodell became the first woman licensed to practice law in Wisconsin, despite objections from the state's Chief Justice that a woman's "delicacy and emotional impulses" made her unsuited for a legal profession. Join Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson, playwright and...

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Recent Shows

How did the hobby horse, velocipede, and high wheel develop into the modern-day bike? Why did Susan B. Anthony say bicycling did “more to emancipate women than anything else in the world”? Jesse Gant and Nicholas Hoffman, co-authors of Wheel Fever: How Wisconsin Became a Great Bicycling State,...

In 2011 UW-Madison historian Paul Boyer was a guest on University of the Air, taking up the question: Are Corporations Persons? The question recurred in the US Supreme Court many times during the 19th century and still resonates today. In the hour to come, we’ll find out how railroads used the...

His picture isn't on a coin and there aren't many schools or cities or counties named after him, but he played a critical part in the founding of the American republic. After four, on University Of The air, the legacy of the often forgotten Founding Father John Jay.

About Norman

Norman Gilliland , Wisconsin Public Radio host of "The Midday" and "Old Time Radio Drama." Author of "Sand Mansions," and most recently, "Midnight Catch."Read more

About Emily

Emily Auerbach is a Professor of English at UW-Madison and co-host of "University of the Air." Auerbach has received numerous awards for her work in teaching. She has also published several books and developed a radio series about female writers.Read more